10/06: As Goes Illinois . . .
Category: Politics
Posted by: an okie gardener
I am blogging this week from the General Synod meeting of the Reformed Church in America. We have been kept so busy that my production is low, but maybe tonight which they have promised will not last until 11pm.
At supper last night I talked politics with a layman from Illinois, a black elder from south of Chicago. I asked him about excitement for the current presidential candidates. He reported that he has not seen much excitement for any of the Republican candidates. His guess is that Rudy might have the most support, but that many are troubled at the thought of putting a man with his personal baggage (he's on his third wife) into the White House. He also reported that there has been some talk about "that Mormon candidate." (Romney)
On the Democrat side, he stated that Obama has generated a lot of excitement. He has heard Barak speak in person and compares his oratorical skills to those of MLK. And, he said that Barak mesmerizes crowds in Chicago and in the south counties of the state. But, he is not sure if Obama can beat Hillary for Illinois delegates, since she has lots of support as well. Edwards has not lit any fires of support.
These are, of course, the opinions of one man. But, a man well-connected in his community and politically aware.
At supper last night I talked politics with a layman from Illinois, a black elder from south of Chicago. I asked him about excitement for the current presidential candidates. He reported that he has not seen much excitement for any of the Republican candidates. His guess is that Rudy might have the most support, but that many are troubled at the thought of putting a man with his personal baggage (he's on his third wife) into the White House. He also reported that there has been some talk about "that Mormon candidate." (Romney)
On the Democrat side, he stated that Obama has generated a lot of excitement. He has heard Barak speak in person and compares his oratorical skills to those of MLK. And, he said that Barak mesmerizes crowds in Chicago and in the south counties of the state. But, he is not sure if Obama can beat Hillary for Illinois delegates, since she has lots of support as well. Edwards has not lit any fires of support.
These are, of course, the opinions of one man. But, a man well-connected in his community and politically aware.
A Waco Farmer wrote:
I am interested in his remarks about Obama. Frankly, I am surprised at the comparison with MLK. I wonder if he has listened to any King recently. I have (an audio collection of sermons), and they are remarkable.
I remember at one time I was just about convinced that Bill Clinton was as powerful oratorically as Ronald Reagan (it had been a long time since I had watched the Gipper and everybody talked constantly about Clinton's prodigious talent in that regard).
And then I had an opportunity to hear Reagan again. There truly was no comparison. Reagan was the best communicator of the video age, and the drop-off between first and the rest is steep.
Anyhow, Obama is exciting (even though I remarked recently that he is less exciting to me these days), but I think your source has it right that Obama is going to have a tough time breaking Hillary's grip on party apparatus.